[Establishment and characterization of a new SCC antigen producing cell line (HCS-2) from a carcinoma of the uterine cervix].

The cell line designated HCS-2 established from a squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix has been subcultivated 77 times since Nov. 8, 1983. The cultured cells appear epithelial in shape, with a pavement-like arrangement and grow without contact inhibition. In electron microscopy, the cells are characterized by desmosomal cell contacts and a few tonofilaments. The cells are transplanted subcutaneously to nude mice and produce tumor which resembles the original tumor of large cell non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. The growth rate of subculture has increased gradually, and population doubling time of cells at 17th passage was about 65 hours. The chromosome studies show aneuploidy and chromosomal number was mainly from hypertriploid to hypotetraploid range. The modal number of cells at 33rd passage was 81. Specific marker chromosome is not realized. The production of SCC antigen is detected from the cells and the amount of SCC antigen in cultured media was recorded from 1.5 to 2.0 ng per 1 x 10(4) cells for 48 hours. CEA synthesis is also confirmed immunohistochemically.